The UBBT

What has the UBBT done for me?

When I was approached about the UBBT, my initial reaction was WOW! this is really exciting. Then I went home and had time to think more about what would be involved, and what a commitment this was going to be. Thinking back, I feel the timing was perfect as I was really needing something new and challenging to focus on and the UBBT certainly has been that.

One of the biggest hurdles I have been faced with is public journaling. I am a very private person and to share myself publicly is a very uncomfortable and vulnerable position to be in. I have constantly struggled with this and although I have improved, I know I have more work ahead of me in this area.

The UBBT has been a blessing to me in simple ways that I have never really thought about until I had to put my thinking cap on and reflect on what is different from last year. For starters, it has helped me manage my time a little better as it has meant that I must factor into my schedule time for me. Although five minutes here and there may not seem like much, at the end of the day or week, it really did make a difference. It also made me realize that I was not being selfish to schedule some “me”. It has helped me to be less concerned about doing things because it is what others expected of me and now am happy with the outlook of “take me as I am”.

I have a whole new respect for vegetarians. The random acts of kindness made me become more aware of the little things that I was already doing and never thought about before, but also helped me to be more conscious about what was going on around me. I also become more aware of those instances when I am receiving an act of kindness from others.

I have also progressed to the stage where I no longer dread doing push-ups. I injured myself several years ago doing them incorrectly and after that even the thought of push-ups would make me cringe. I have had a couple of injuries this year, making it more challenging, but I must say I have tried not to use that as an excuse to stop doing them as that would only put me behind. I think the UBBT has shown me that one needs to be creative during an injury and that you don’t need to give up, you just need to adapt.

It seemed to give me a new focus, I was again excited to come to classes and was more engaged. I may not be where I hoped to be, but I have changed and that is definitely a step in the right direction and I plan to continue moving forward.

Eva Dennis
Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta